The Sangam Age - Questions & Answers

1. The word 'Sangam', literally means:
(a) Association
(b) Involvement
(c) Opposite
(d) Kingdom
Answer: (a) Association

2. Tirukkural is a collection of Tamil couplets organised into ______ chapters.
(a) 134
(b) 133
(c) 113
(d) 143
Answer: Tirukkural is a collection of Tamil couplets organised into 133 chapters. Option (b)

3. The Tirukkural has three sections, namely
(a) Aram, Porul and Inbam
(b) Vanavar, Malaiyar and Udiyan
(c) Tolkappiyam, Tirukkural and Tiruvalluvar
(d) None of the above.
Answer: (a) Aram, Porul and Inbam

4. What are the box-like structures of stone slabs erected without the use of mortar called?
(a) Memorial
(b) Megaliths
(c) Memorabilia
(d) Pillars
Answer: (b) Megaliths

5. How are memorial stones a source of information?
(a) Information about religious beliefs
(b) Information about tools and implements
(c) Information about life of people
(d) All of the above.
Answer: (d) All of the above.

6. Megaliths contain
(a) Skeletons
(b) Pottery
(c) Iron objects
(d) All of the above.
Answer: (d) All of the above.

7. The Velirs extended patronage to poets who acted as
(a) administrative agents
(b) diplomats and caretakers
(c) patrons of other arts
(d) All of the above.
Answer: (b) diplomats and caretakers

8. The brahmanas during Sangam Age were respectable and learned. They served as
(a) Priests
(b) Judicial officers
(c) Astrologers
(d) All of the above.
Answer: (d) All of the above.

9. The Vellalars were
(a) landed aristocrats
(b) priests
(c) landless labourers
(d) ploughmen
Answer: (a) landed aristocrats

10. Referring to the Sangam society which of the following is incorrect?
(a) Uzhavar : ordinary ploughmen
(b) Vellalars : landed aristocrats
(c) Adimai : priests
(d) Kadasiyar : landless labourers
Answer: (c) Adimai : priests

1. (A) Tamil literature comprises five epics, besides the Tirukkural.
(R) Megaliths acted as burial sites or commemorative memorials.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Answer: (d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

2. (A) Sangam literature speaks of many tribes and traditional castes.
(R) The caste divisions and the tribal arrangement existed side by side.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (R) is the reason for (A)

3. (A) The division of social groups into the rich and the poor was accepted as natural.
(R) The people were industrious and they believed in living well by earning wealth.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Answer: (d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

4. (A) The local chieftains who ruled in different parts of Tamil Nadu were called Velirs.
(R) They helped to resolve the disputes among the rulers.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Answer: (d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

5. (A) During the Sangam Age, the brahmanas were a respectable and learned community.
(R) They used to serve the kings as priests and astrologers and occasionally as judicial officers.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (R) is the reason for (A)

6. (A) During the Sangam Age, the inhabitants of parched zone used to live by plunder and cattle lifting.
(R) The inhabitants of the hilly areas subsisted on shifting agriculture and animal husbandry.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Answer: (c) (A) is true but (R) is false

7. (A) During the Sangam Age, paddy constituted the most commonly accepted medium of exchange.
(R) Paddy was sold by mentioning its price in terms of salt.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Answer: (d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

8. (A) There was an extensive trade with the foreign countries during the Sangam Age.
(R) The gold and silver coins from the Roman Empire found in the interior of Tamil land indicate the extent of foreign trade.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (R) is the reason for (A)

9. (A) During the Sangam Age, there were female ascetics belonging to Buddhist or Jain tradition.
(R) The status of women in the Sangam Age was equal to that of men.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Answer: (c) (A) is true but (R) is false

1. Who was the author of Tirukkural? Name the three sections into which the chapters of Tirukkural are categorised.
Answer: The author of the Tirukkural was Thiruvalluvar. The 133 chapters of the Tirukkural are categorised into three sections: (a) Aram (righteousness); (b) Porul (wealth); and (c) Inbam or Kamam (pleasure).

2. What are Megaliths? Why are they so called?
Answer: Megaliths are box-like structures erected with stone slabs, resting on each other without the use of mortar. They acted either as burial sites or commemorative memorials. They are called megaliths because they are constructed out of large stones.

3. Briefly describe the human adaptation to land (tinai).
Answer: The whole area was divided into five tinais (geographical divisions), and human adaptation varied in each:
1. Hilly backwoods (kurinji): Inhabitants were hunters and gatherers.
2. Parched zones (palai): Inhabitants lived by plunder and cattle lifting.
3. Pastoral tract (mullai): Inhabitants subsisted on shifting agriculture and animal husbandry.
4. Wetlands (marutam): Inhabited by people subsisting on plough agriculture.
5. Littoral land (neital): Inhabited by those dependent on fishing and salt extraction.

4. Who were the Vellalars during the Sangam Age?
Answer: The Vellalars were landed aristocrats during the Sangam Age who cultivated the wetlands. They had close associations and held high positions of office with the three main dynasties (Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas) and were also engaged in trade.

5. Name the main crops grown during the Sangam Period.
Answer: The main crop grown was rice. Other crops included cotton, ragi, sugarcane, pepper, ginger, cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, and different varieties of fruits.

6. Name one centre of cotton trade and the products exported to foreign countries during the Sangam Age.
Answer: Uraiyur was a major centre for the cotton trade. The products exported to foreign countries included pepper, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, ivory products, pearls, precious stones, and fine muslin.

7. Name the social divisions of Sangam period and the occupations associated with each one of them.
Answer: The social divisions and their occupations included:
- Brahmanas: Respectable and learned community serving as priests, astrologers, and occasionally as judicial officers.
- Vaishyas: Assigned the duties of learning, performing sacrifice, making gifts, agriculture, protection of cows, and trade.
- Vellalars: Landed aristocrats who cultivated wetlands, traded, and held high offices.
- Uzhavar: Ordinary ploughmen.
- Kadasiyar and Adimai: Landless labourers.
Additionally, there were full-time craftsmen like goldsmiths, blacksmiths, and potters.

1. With reference to the Sangam Age, answer the following questions:
(a) State why the Sangam Age is so called.
Answer: The Sangam Age refers to the period when the bulk of Tamil literature was composed by a body of Tamil scholars and poets in three successive literary gatherings called Sangam. These texts were called Sangam because they are believed to have been composed and compiled in assemblies of poets held in the city of Madurai.

(b) Name the poet who composed the Tirukkural. Write a short note on any one of his celebrated works.
Answer: Thiruvalluvar composed the Tirukkural. The Tirukkural (or Kural) is considered a compound of the teachings of Dharamashastra, the Arthashastra, and the Kamasutra. It comprises a series of brief metrical proverbs on many aspects of life and religion, organised into 133 chapters. It preaches simplicity and truth throughout its verses.

(c) What information do megaliths give about the Sangam Age?
Answer: Megaliths provide valuable information about the Sangam Age as they contain skeletons, pottery, and iron objects (grave goods). These objects give insights into the life of the people. For example, comparing the number of agricultural tools with fishing and hunting tools can infer the level of advanced agriculture. Furthermore, the presence of specific items like tridents in the graves shows the religious beliefs of the people, such as faith in Lord Shiva.

2. With reference to the picture given alongside, answer the following:
(a) Identify the lady whose statue is depicted in the picture. Why was the lady revered?
Answer: The lady depicted in the picture is Kannagi. She was revered as Pattini (the 'Chaste Lady') and worshipped as the ideal wife. This worship was initiated by the Chera ruler Senguttuvan and was an extension of the worship of the Goddess of Chastity.

(b) What was the position of women during the Sangam Age?
Answer: The status of women in Sangam society was not equal to that of men. Most married women settled down as dutiful housewives looking after their families. However, women enjoyed freedom of movement in society, and the presence of female poets proves they were provided with good education. Some women became female ascetics in the Buddhist or Jain traditions, and there were also a large number of courtesans.

(c) What does the Tolkappiyam say about ways of living of the people during the Sangam Age?
Answer: The Tolkappiyam mentions four castes: brahmanas, kings, traders, and farmers. This classification shows the influence of the Sanskritic social ideal. However, the text ignores most of the other names of the people, signifying that despite the beginnings of a caste system, the larger society remained predominantly casteless, distinguishing primarily between the high born (brahmanas and patrons) and the common men.

3. With reference to the economy during the Sangam Age, answer the following questions:
(a) What was the main occupation of the people and the activities associated with it?
Answer: Agriculture was the main occupation of the people, with rice being the main crop. Activities associated with it included cultivating other crops (cotton, ragi, sugarcane, pepper, spices), the construction of embankments and canals for irrigation by the state, the making of sugar from cane, and the harvesting and drying of grain.

(b) Explain the organisation of internal trade.
Answer: Internal trade was well-organised and briskly carried out. Caravans of merchants with carts and pack-animals transported merchandise from place to place. Most of the trade was conducted through a barter system, where paddy was the most commonly accepted medium of exchange (e.g., exchanging salt for paddy). Bigger towns had established markets called angadi, and hawkers carried goods directly to houses in other areas.

(c) Explain the extent and significance of external trade.
Answer: There was extensive and highly significant trade with foreign countries, most notably the Roman Empire. Major port cities like Puhar, Saliyur, and Bandar served as hubs where big ships arrived. The region heavily exported items like pepper, spices, ivory products, pearls, and fine muslin in exchange for imports such as horses, gold, and glass. The massive volume of this trade is confirmed by texts like the 'Periplus of the Red Sea' and the discovery of numerous Roman gold and silver coins in the interior of Tamil land.

1. How was the society in the Sangam Age different from that in the Vedic Age?
Answer: Unlike the Later Vedic Age, where society was rigidly stratified by the four-fold varna system (Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras), the larger society in the Sangam Age remained largely casteless. Social distinction in the Sangam Age was instead based mostly on geography (the five tinais) and the division between the high born (brahmanas and patrons) and the common men, though some Sanskritic caste influence had begun to appear among the elites.

2. Imagine you are transported in the Sangam Age by a time-machine. Describe the position of women, as seen by you.
Answer: If I travelled back to the Sangam Age, I would observe a society where women hold a subordinate status to men, yet move freely in public. I would see many educated women crafting beautiful poetry alongside male scholars. I would see mothers working dutifully in their homes, while out in the towns, I might encounter independent female Buddhist or Jain ascetics like Kaundi Adigal. Finally, I would witness the deep reverence of the local people as they build temples to worship Kannagi, the embodiment of marital devotion.

3. Find out the structures similar to megaliths or commemorative memorials in other civilisations of the world. List the similarities and dissimilarities between the megaliths and these structures.
Answer: Structures similar to megaliths include the Pyramids in ancient Egypt and Stonehenge in ancient Britain.
Similarities: All these ancient structures were constructed using massive stones without modern cement, served deeply spiritual functions, and frequently acted as burial sites or memorials containing grave goods intended for the afterlife.
Dissimilarities: Egyptian pyramids were monolithic, mathematically complex structures built exclusively for ruling Pharaohs by massive labor forces. In contrast, Sangam megaliths were simpler box-like structures, stone circles, or underground chambers used more broadly for family members across generations within local communities.

4. Read the plot of the two epics — Sillapadikaram and Manimekalai. Compare and contrast the women characters in these two epics with those of Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Answer: In the Sangam epics, female characters display a strong sense of independence and raw power. For example, Kannagi in Silappadikaram single-handedly challenges the Pandyan King's justice and burns down Madurai in her righteous fury, elevating her to a worshipped Goddess. Manimekalai embraces strict Buddhist asceticism to seek spiritual truth. In contrast, while the heroines of the Ramayana and Mahabharata (like Sita and Draupadi) also endure immense suffering, showcase incredible devotion, and possess fierce inner strength, their narratives are more tightly bound by patriarchal varna dharma and the dynastic conflicts of their husbands. However, both literary traditions share a deep reverence for women who exemplify unwavering loyalty and moral fortitude.